MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CERRITOS CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CERRITOS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY HELD MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2024, 7:00 P.M., IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT CERRITOS CITY HALL, 18125 BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Invocation
The invocation was given by Pastor Juno Smalley, New Life Community Church.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by AYSO Region 54 – Team Baja Blast.
4. Roll Call
The following members of the City Council/Successor Agency were in attendance:
Council/Agency Member Bruce W. Barrows
Council/Agency Member Lynda P. Johnson
Council/Agency Member Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Chuong Vo
Mayor/Chair Naresh Solanki
5. Presentations/Appointments
5A. Presentations
Proclamations were made by the City Council honoring:
Cerritos High School Filipino American Student Group – Club Magkaisa; and Mabuhay Players Theater Group (Filipino-American History Month).
Mayor Solanki announced the meeting rules of decorum.
Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk, announced that prior to the meeting the Council/Agency members received full-text, unredacted copies of the one (1) written comment submitted for meeting items by the deadline listed on the agenda and for inclusion in the official record. Requests for copies of the written comments submitted for this meeting can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk.
6. Public Comments and Suggestions
The Mayor opened the public comments period for items not listed on the meeting agenda but that were within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, the Consent Calendar, and Closed Session. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
7. Consent Calendar
7A. Approval of Minutes
Thursday, September 26, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7A. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Thursday, September 26, 2024, 7:00 p.m. City Council/Successor Agency Regular Meeting Minutes (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B. Approval of Financial Reports
7B.1. Register of Demands for the City of Cerritos dated October 7, 2024 (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the Register of Demands as follows:
City of Cerritos October 7, 2024 $6,511,165.43 (COUNCIL)
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B.2. City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s reports for the period ending August 31, 2024 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to approve the City Council/Successor Agency Treasurer’s Reports for the period ending August 31, 2024 (COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7B.3. Approval of Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget amendments (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to authorize administrative initiated Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget amendments in accordance with Joint Budget Resolution No. 2024-12/CSA No. 2024-01 and the Strategic Financial Plan and Budget Preparation Policy (Policy 2.04) as adopted by the City Council, as follows:
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7B. Approval of Financial Reports (continued)
7B.3. (continued)
Account/Project: cp17199 Groundwater Remediation Project Amount: $415,000 (Measure W)
$36,000 (General Fund)
Justification: Additional funding is requested for the Groundwater Remediation Project to address unforeseen work at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) and Civic Center. This includes covering the Los Angeles County sewer connection fee at CCPA, rehabilitation of the drive-aisle north of the library that intersects with Bloomfield Avenue (including new traffic signal loops), construction management fees, and other necessary work at both the CCPA and Civic Center. Funding was previously approved by the City Council in Fiscal Year 2023-2024, but project delays have necessitated a new appropriation in Fiscal Year 2024-2025. The total project cost is eligible for funding through the City's Measure W local return.
Additionally, $36,000 is needed from the General Fund to cover the administrative fees payable to the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. This project involved redirecting groundwater at the Civic Center from the storm drain system to the sewer system, which has allowed the City to terminate its discharge permit with the Water Board. As a result, these administrative fees will no longer be incurred, providing the City with significant cost savings moving forward. (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (5 – 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7C. Continuance of the existence of a local emergency concerning a gasoline leak from a privately-owned existing pipeline on the Cerritos Iron-Wood Nine public golf course, and potential threat to the safety of persons and property requiring remediation, repair, and improvement of the public golf course and other City-owned public property, as specified (COUNCIL).
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Continue the local emergency as proclaimed in Resolution No. 2023-05, at the Cerritos Iron-Wood Nine Golf Course and the nearby City property containing the C- 4 well site;
2. Make the findings set forth in Sections one (1) through eight (8) of Resolution No. 2023-05, and incorporate by reference those findings, as they relate to the continued existence of a local emergency as specified; and
3. Direct staff to provide a report to the City Council regarding the local emergency at least once every sixty (60) days, pursuant to Section 8630(c) of the California Government Code, until the City Council terminates the local emergency (COUNCIL).
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7. Consent Calendar (continued)
7C. (continued)
The motion carried (5 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. Public Hearings
None.
9. New and Old Business
9A. Review and consideration of actions in compliance with Cerritos City Charter Section 800 (General Municipal Elections) and City Council Ordinance No. 1042 to notice, call, and conduct the Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Cerritos General Municipal Election for officers and to submit charter amendment ballot measures to the voters at said election (COUNCIL).
Prior to the staff report on this item, City Attorney Bill Ihrke announced that Councilmember Johnson is employed by the County of Los Angeles – Office of a County Supervisor. As Councilmember Johnson does not work in the County of Los Angeles - Registrar’s Department, pursuant to advice received by the City from the Fair Political Practices Commission, Councilmember Johnson has a “non-interest” and may participate in the consideration of the adoption of a resolution requesting Los Angeles County Registrar services for the upcoming Cerritos General Municipal Election that has in the past, and is anticipated again, to have contract(s) with the City and the Registrar’s Department.
A staff report was given by Cynthia Nava, Acting City Clerk. A PowerPoint presentation was displayed.
The Mayor opened the public comments period at separate times prior to the votes taken on all of the items listed below. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
One (1) written comment was submitted for Item 9A by the deadline listed on the agenda and for inclusion in the official record. Requests for copies of the written comments submitted for this meeting can be made during regular business hours to the Office of the City Clerk.
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-18, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR
THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS AS
REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE CERRITOS CITY CHARTER AND ORDINANCE NO. 1042 (COUNCIL);
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
2. Waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-19, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING
REGULATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE PERTAINING TO
CANDIDATE STATEMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE VOTERS AT AN ELECTION TO BE HELD TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 (COUNCIL); and
3. Waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-20, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA, REQUESTING
THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO RENDER
SPECIFIED SERVICES TO THE CITY RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF THE
CERRITOS GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (3 - 2) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Vo, Solanki
NOES: Johnson, Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-21, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA CALLING FOR THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
A PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATING TO A SPECIFIED GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATE AND RELATED, CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AS AUTHORIZED BY THE ORDINANCE NO. 1042, AND RESOLUTION NO. 2024-18 (COUNCIL);
The ballot label for this proposed Charter Amendment will be included in the adopted resolution, as follows:
Shall the Cerritos City Charter be amended to require that voter approval must be obtained for any future change to the City’s general municipal election date, currently established as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March of each odd-numbered year, and make conforming amendments to the start date of each City Council member’s term and selection date of the Mayor, relating thereto?
The motion carried (3 - 2) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Vo, Solanki
NOES: Johnson, Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-22, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA CALLING FOR THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2025 FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
A PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATING TO A COMPREHENSIVE CHARTER “CLEAN-UP” AND MODERNIZATION AS AUTHORIZED BY THE ORDINANCE NO. 1042, AND RESOLUTION NO. 2024-18 (COUNCIL);
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
The ballot label for this proposed Charter Amendment will be stated in the adopted resolution, as follows:
Shall the Cerritos City Charter be amended to remove or modify provisions based on superseding and preemptive State law, increase Citywide operational efficiency by eliminating references to outdated business practices, and correct grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors?
The motion carried (4 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson to direct staff to designate letter assignments for each of the two (2) ballot measures to be included on the March 2025 ballot, as soon as feasible (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Yokoyama
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson to limit written arguments regarding the proposed Charter amendments to “Primary” arguments “For” and “Against” each measure only, with no provision for “Rebuttal” arguments (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Yokoyama
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-23, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA SETTING
PRIORITIES FOR FILING OF WRITTEN ARGUMENTS REGARDING A
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATING TO A SPECIFIED GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATE, AND RELATED, CONFORMING AMENDMENTS,
AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS (COUNCIL);
2. Authorize specific members of the City Council to write and file certain primary arguments, as summarized in the table below;
3. Authorize the priority selection of certain primary arguments, as su mmarized in the table below; and
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
4. Incorporate these authorizations into the resolution setting priorities for the filing of written arguments regarding the subject Charter amendments
Charter amendment measure Priority Selection
Specified general municipal election
date and related, conforming
amendments
(as defined in Resolution No. 2024-21)
Primary Argument “For” the measure:
As written and filed by:
Councilmember Barrows and Mayor Solanki
(COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Yokoyama
MOTION: It was moved by Johnson, and seconded by Vo, to:
1. Waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-24, A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA SETTING
PRIORITIES FOR FILING OF WRITTEN ARGUMENTS REGARDING A
PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATING TO A COMPREHENSIVE
CHARTER “CLEAN-UP” AND MODERNIZATION (COUNCIL);
2. Authorize specific members of the City Council to write and fi le certain primary arguments, as summarized in the table below;
3. Authorize the priority selection of certain primary arguments, as summarized in the table below; and
4. Incorporate these authorizations into the resolution setting priorities for the fi ling of written arguments regarding the subject Charter amendments
Charter amendment measure Priority Selection
Comprehensive Charter “clean-up” and
modernization
(as defined in Resolution No. 2024-22)
Primary Argument “For” the measure:
As written and filed by:
Councilmember Johnson and Councilmember
Barrows
(COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Yokoyama
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9A. (continued)
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Barrows, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis for the ballot measure regarding a proposed Charter amendment relating to a comprehensive Charter “clean-up” and modernization, as defined in Resolution No. 2024-24, which will be titled as follows:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA
SETTING PRIORITIES FOR FILING OF WRITTEN ARGUMENTS REGARDING A PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATING TO A COMPREHENSIVE CHARTER “CLEAN-UP” AND
MODERNIZATION, AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 – 0 – 0 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Yokoyama
MOTION: It was moved by Barrows, and seconded by Johnson, to:
1. Authorize the City Manager or designee, to enter into the necessary agreements and amendments with the State-certified vendors and election consultants for the necessary elections equipment, materials, supplies, and services, to conduct the election as a "stand-alone" proceeding, in compliance with the City Charter and California Elections Code Section 13001, and for such expenses authorize City staff to follow the procurement standards set forth in the California Elections Code; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk/Elections Official and authorized designee(s) to oversee and conduct the City of Cerritos General Municipal Election in accordance with the Cerritos City Charter and applicable laws and regulations (COUNCIL).
The motion carried (4 - 1) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Vo, Solanki
NOES: Yokoyama
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
9B. Review and consideration by the City Council of the City of Cerritos to waive full reading of and adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS IN SUPPORT OF THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT (PROPOSITION 36) (COUNCIL).
A staff report was given by Ryan Carey, Assistant to the City Manager.
The Mayor opened the public comments period. Seeing none, the Mayor declared the public comments period closed.
MOTION: It was moved by Vo, and seconded by Johnson, to waive full reading of and adopt Resolution No. 2024-25, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CERRITOS IN
SUPPORT OF THE HOMELESSNESS, DRUG ADDICTION AND THEFT REDUCTION ACT (PROPOSITION 36) (COUNCIL).
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9. New and Old Business (continued)
9B. (continued)
The motion carried (5 - 0) as follows:
AYES: Barrows, Johnson, Yokoyama, Vo, Solanki
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
10. Legislative Items
10A. Report on pending legislation.
None.
10B. Review and consideration to support or oppose specific legislation in the State or Federal legislature or in the State or Federal Executive Office for signature.
11. Reports
11A. Report from City Manager/Executive Director
Robert A. Lopez, City Manager, announced the promotion of Cristopher Laroco to the Theater Administrator/Deputy Director position.
11B. City Council Communications/Committee Reports/Meeting Reports
Reports were given by Councilmembers Yokoyama and Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Vo, and Mayor Solanki.
CONSENSUS (Vo): Directed the City Manager to provide a small donation to the Downey Rose Float Association (donation not to exceed an amount within the City Manager’s authorized expenditure authority), and to research the feasibility of scheduling volunteers on an annual basis to maintain the City’s existing float.
12. Closed Session
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney announced the City Council would recess to Closed Session to discuss Item 12A, 2B, and 12C as listed on the Closed Session agenda.
12A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(b) (COUNCIL) Title: Position of City Clerk
12B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services; Amy Thomas, Enterprise Services Manager; Joseph Larsen, City Attorney’s Office
Employee Organization: AFSCME Local 619
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12. Closed Session
12C. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6 (COUNCIL) Agency Negotiators: Robert A. Lopez, City Manager; Drew Schneider, Director of Administrative Services; Amy Thomas, Enterprise Services Manager; Joseph Larsen, City Attorney’s Office
Unrepresented Employees: Full-Time Exempt
The City Council recessed into Closed Session.
The City Council reconvened into Open Session.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
Bill Ihrke, City Attorney, provided the following Closed Session report:
The City Council convened into Closed Session to discuss Items 12A, 12B, and 12C. There was no reportable action taken and there was nothing further to report.
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:21 p.m.
/s/Cynthia Nava
Cynthia Nava
Acting City Clerk/Agency Secretary
ATTEST:
/s/Naresh Solanki __
Naresh Solanki
Mayor/Agency Chair
APPROVED: October 24, 2024